"Ah, he's clever!" said Mr. Fenno, to which encomium of Ellis Pease assented by a nod, but seemed not inclined to pursue the subject further. Then the servant, entering, announced that Mr. Price was at the door, asking for Mr. Pease. As Pease started from his seat his inquiring glance met Fenno's. The old man knit his heavy brows.
"Do you suppose——" he said.
"May be!" Pease answered with visible excitement.
"He must see you alone," added the maid.
"Show him into the parlour," Pease directed. For a minute he was alone with the jeweller; Fenno, forgetting the presence of the ladies, stared after him and waited. Then Pease returned.
"Can we have you with us, Mr. Fenno?" he asked.
The three shut themselves up in the parlour. Judith, as she controlled her deep interest, felt how often it was now her part to wait. But at last the parlour door opened again, and voices were heard. It was Price who spoke first.
"You understand, Mr. Pease—my family——"
"Yes, yes," Pease answered.
"And my position, you see," the explanation continued. Judith saw the jeweller, bowing and rubbing his hands together nervously.